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geekhack Projects => Making Stuff Together! => DIY Discussions ARCHIVE => Topic started by: Keyboardist on Wed, 26 August 2009, 00:15:37

Title: Best grid or "sandbox" keyboards?
Post by: Keyboardist on Wed, 26 August 2009, 00:15:37

Hi everyone. First post.

I was just wondering if anyone can point out what the best grid-based keyboards are. (I need something that'll let me test out new layouts).

I'm essentially looking for something like this (http://ergokey.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=EKL&Product_Code=EZR2030-US&Category_Code=Keyboards), or this (http://www.computerpoweruser.com/editorial/fullsize.asp?guid=56DA9DF6078146E38043FBB0C8833A77&image=00847451.jpg&caption=+PLUM+Keyboard%3Cp%3E+%24139%3Cp%3E+PLUM%3Cp%3E+%28703%29+507-2211%3Cp%3E+www.plum.bz%3Cp%3E+CPU+Rating%3A+3+%3C%2FCENTER%3E%3C%2FTD%3E%3C%2FTR%3E%3C%2FTABLE%3E), or one of these (http://www.tipro.si/) (
Pluses, though optional, would be:
- ability to have a cluster of small spacebars
- all non-spacebar keys would be standard-sized squares (no "large" keys, like Enter, Shift, etc)

^these are just nit-picking, but I assume you people here know your keyboards, and where to get them. :)

Bear in mind also that I'd need something that I can rearrange/edit without special tools. (unfortunately, I'm not a craftsman in any sense)

Title: Best grid or "sandbox" keyboards?
Post by: rdh on Wed, 26 August 2009, 01:32:59

The earlier TypeMatrix, model 2020 (http://www.typematrix.com/overview/), seems cheaper than the 2030 (http://www.typematrix.com/ezr2030/) you linked to.

On TypeMatrix' own site, probably not the cheapest place, the 2020 is $59.50 while the 2030 is $110.

Title: Best grid or "sandbox" keyboards?
Post by: lowpoly on Wed, 26 August 2009, 15:46:34

Look into cash register 'boards, they're usually programmable.

We had a thread here some time ago ... wait ... here it is:

Non Staggered Suggestions (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=4379&highlight=staggered)

Title: Best grid or "sandbox" keyboards?
Post by: Keyboardist on Tue, 01 September 2009, 01:01:51

Thanks alot for the help! I've gone ahead and gotten the Typematrix 2030, and it just arrived today. It's actually very excellent. It's the sleekest, best-built keyboard I've ever seen in person. (and I've seen alot) Surprising, actually, because the pictures on the website do it no justice at all...

I wanted to order a Plum keyboard on the side (it has the multiple spacebars I need), but the plum website (http://www.plum.bz/) hasn't been online at all, ever.

Title: Best grid or "sandbox" keyboards?
Post by: Keyboardist on Sat, 12 September 2009, 19:05:03

Update: Well, unfortunately, the great quality of the Typematrix was beside the fact that too many of the keys weren't remappable. :( Thus I'm going to have to return it, because I can't really test out my alternative layouts. (they did tell me though that they're working on a much more remappable keyboard that should be out this fall... can't wait)

In the meantime, anyone know how to acquire a Plum??? Or are there any other good grid-based keyboards (matrix keyboards) around?

And:

Quote

Look into cash register 'boards, they're usually programmable.

Are the keys on cash register boards bigger than typing boards? Ideal would be something "normal" sized, like this below: (Typematrix 2030)

(http://www.typematrix.com/ezr2030/images/qwerty_new.gif)

Title: Best grid or "sandbox" keyboards?
Post by: lowpoly on Wed, 16 September 2009, 14:21:54

This link has some info on POS boards:

Non Staggered Suggestions (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=4379&highlight=non-staggered+suggestions)

Title: Best grid or "sandbox" keyboards?
Post by: Rajagra on Wed, 16 September 2009, 15:27:03

The Tipro 'Mid' series might suit you, but finding them can be hard.
http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:6622